Community Impact

February 28, 2025 | Monica Lattimer, Associate Director of Operations at UConn Waterbury

Husky Harvest Waterbury: Innovating Food Access with Hydroponic Systems, Refrigerated Lockers, and a Transformed Pantry

Husky Harvest Waterbury is improving food access at UConn with new refrigerated lockers, expanded hydroponic systems for fresh produce, and a redesigned pantry to promote healthy eating. These initiatives aim to provide convenient, sustainable, and nutritious food for students, faculty, and staff facing food insecurity.

Husky Harvest Waterbury Sign
UConn Waterbury Husky Harvest sign (Steve Bustamante / University of Connecticut)

Husky Harvest Waterbury is excited to announce several groundbreaking developments aimed at improving food access and supporting the well-being of UConn students, faculty, and staff. Thanks to the support of our generous partners, we’ve introduced new technologies and made significant improvements to our food assistance programs, ensuring that fresh, nutritious food is accessible when it’s needed most. These advancements include refrigerated lockers for convenient grocery pick-up, expanded hydroponic growing systems for on-site food production, and a newly revamped food pantry designed to better support healthy eating.

Refrigerated Lockers: Convenient, Private Access for Our Guests

One of the most exciting innovations at Husky Harvest Waterbury is the installation of refrigerated lockers, making us the first Connecticut Foodshare partner to offer this technology. These lockers allow students, faculty, and staff to pick up fresh groceries for their families at their convenience. Located near the campus parking garage with easy access to the main road, the lockers provide a discreet, private option for picking up perishable items like dairy, meat, and fresh produce.

Husky Harvest Waterbury Refrigerated Lockers (Steve Bustamante / University of Connecticut)

Hydroponics: A Sustainable, On-Site Solution for Fresh Produce

We are thrilled to expand our food production with hydroponics—a sustainable, soil-free farming method, that we started in 2023. With recent funding, we have added additional systems. These systems allow us to grow a variety of fresh, nutritious crops—such as leafy greens, herbs, and vegetables—right on campus, year-round. Hydroponics enables us to provide fresh, local produce while reducing our environmental impact and strengthening our commitment to sustainability.

The addition of hydroponics helps us supplement the food we distribute through the pantry, ensuring that high-quality, nutrient-dense options are always available to our guests. This innovation is an important part of our ongoing efforts to address food insecurity and build a more resilient food system at UConn Waterbury.

UConn Waterbury Husky Harvest Hydroponics (Steve Bustamante / University of Connecticut)

Transforming the Pantry: A Space for Healthy Choices

In addition to the hydroponic systems and refrigerated lockers, we’ve also revamped the layout and design of our food pantry.  This transformation was intended to create a more welcoming and user-friendly space that encourages healthy food choices. The pantry now features clear organization, with foods categorized into three groups based on how often they should be consumed:

– Eat Often: Fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and other healthy staples.

– Eat Sometimes: Lean proteins, dairy, and foods that are part of a balanced diet.

– Eat Rarely: Foods high in sugar and saturated fat that should be consumed in moderation.

This updated layout makes it easier for our guests to make informed choices about their food, while promoting healthier eating habits for themselves and their families. The aesthetic changes also make the pantry feel more like a community-oriented space where individuals can access fresh, nutritious food with dignity and ease.

Student shopping at Husky Harvest at UConn Waterbury  (Sean Flynn/UConn Photo)

Looking Forward: A Commitment to a Sustainable and Accessible Future

At Husky Harvest Waterbury, we are committed to continuing our efforts to improve food access for UConn students, faculty, and staff. The introduction of refrigerated lockers, the expansion of hydroponic systems, and the transformation of our food pantry are just the beginning of our efforts to make food security more accessible, convenient, and sustainable.

With the ongoing support of our community and partners, we look forward to further expanding our programs and services to meet the evolving needs of our guests. At Husky Harvest Waterbury, our mission is simple: to ensure that no member of the UConn

community needs to worry about where their next meal is coming from. These new systems and improvements bring us one step closer to that goal by providing flexible, dignified, and sustainable access to fresh groceries for families in need.

We are deeply grateful for the generous support of our partners, including CT Foodshare, CT Community Foundation, Stop & Shop, and the many donors who contribute through initiatives like UConn Gives. In addition, the unwavering dedication of UConn Waterbury Faculty & Staff has played a crucial role in advancing our mission. Their collective support enables us to make a meaningful impact on the UConn community and continue our vital work.